The Crazy Bookworm

My Boyfriend Reads my 'Verity' Review

2021-06-02T20:41:00.002-04:00

My Boyfriend Reads My Book Review

2021-05-26T09:27:00.004-04:00

My Boyfriend Reads my book review is a playlist on our youtube channel. My funny yet savage partner scrolls through my instagram, and picks a review to read. I will post a new one here each week. Check out the one below. If you like us, give us a like and subscribe! We'd love to hear from you! And maybe, he can read one of your reviews too!

My Boyfriend Reads My 'Silent Patient' Review

Find us:

Youtube: Catam Concoction - YouTube

Facebook: (2) Pages | Facebook

Discord: https://discord.gg/3S9TNbvd87

Instagram: Cathy/Reviewer 🇨🇦 (@bookworm_yogi) • Instagram photos and videos

I'm on the Youtube!!

2021-04-28T19:16:00.010-04:00

Hello fellow bookworms! It has been a minute! A lot of my bookish focus has been on the instagram (@bookworm_yogi) but I want to dust off the ol' blog and get back to giving it equal focus, and I am returning with an announcement...*Drumroll* I am on youtube! Okay, I know the post title already gave that away but just roll with me here. What happens during a pandemic and 3 lockdowns? Boredom. Complete and utter boredom! In that boredom, my boyfriend and I thought a youtube channel would be a good idea! What is on this youtube channel you ask? We hope to make it a variety channel where it's just us talking about stuff and making fun of pop culture. Right now, my boyfriend Adam, is currently reading all of my instagram book reviews, with his own flair, and by flair, I mean he makes complete fun of me!

We're both big nerds who like to play video games, board games, read, and watch movies, and we hope to document our journey through these things all while enjoying an adult beverage! I hope you'll join us! I will post where you can find us below. I truly hope to see you there! If you stop by, be sure to comment and say hello! And if you have any suggestions on what you want us to record, please let us know in any of the videos comments! I'll leave you with a video here, in hopes that it will entice you to pop over to youtube and give us a follow there :)

Love always,

your neighbourhood bookworm, The Crazy Bookworm, aka, Bookworm_Yogi, aka, Catam Concoction

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

2020-07-19T16:07:00.002-04:00

MINI REVIEW:

You guys, I am not okay! This book wrecked me. I've heard so many great things about this book, and it, regretfully, sat on my shelf for years before I finally picked it up. I have to admit, the Netflix movie release is what pushed me to finally read it. Boy, did this book not disappoint. It's simultaneously heart-warming and heart-breaking. It warms the soul while it tugs at your heart. It's beautiful and it's ugly. It makes you feel a cluster of emotions that you weren't prepared for. I laughed, I cried... I sobbed... Like a baby...that lost its favourite blanky...that was swaddling its favourite stuffy. I did watch the movie after finishing it, and I must say, I was happy with its adaptation. I thought they did a lovely job at bringing this story to life, and I thought both lead actors really captured the pain in both characters. The movie wrecked me just as much as the book did. Have your read this book or watched the movie? What were your thoughts?

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson

2020-07-19T16:06:00.000-04:00

MINI REVIEW:

This is not my usual type of reading. I am a huge fan of the movie because #johnnydepp but have never read the book. I have been in a MAJOR reading funk and a friend of mine suggested this for a quick read, he was right! I devoured this book! Having seen the movie, I totally read it in the voices of Raoul and Gonzo but I was still just as entertained! It's a wild, tripy and at times, hilarious ride. I walked away with quite the buzz after reading 😂 After reading the book it became even more clear that Depp and Del Toro were the perfect casting choices. I'm surprised this was the book that took me out of my funk, but I'm glad it did! I thoroughly enjoyed it!

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

2020-07-19T16:02:00.002-04:00

MINI REVIEW:

Going by Goodreads, I am clearly in the minority with this book. I struggled between giving 2.5 or 3 stars but settled for 3 because it did have its moments.

I couldn't connect at all with the main character Dannie but I really liked Bella, and the author did a really great job at penning the strong bond between Dannie and Bella. I did find the premise a bit misleading. In my opinion, it's not quite as the book describes(trying to stay spoiler-free) and because of that, it left me disappointed.

Overall, this book has some high points but the rest of it was just an okay read for me. There are moments that will tug on your heartstrings so for that, it gets 3 stars from me!

Have you read this? What did you think?

The Happily Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez

2020-07-19T15:59:00.001-04:00

MINI REVIEW:

All of the stars!! *Deep sigh* Abby Jimenez does it again(insert slow clap here). She knows exactly how to open up your chest cavity and shove her characters deep inside of your heart where they will live forever! Dammit, this book was so good!

The Happily Ever After Playlist follows Sloan, Kristen's best friend from The Friend Zone. To remain spoiler-free, if you haven't read the first book, I won't dive too deep into the content of the story. But we do follow Sloan through a whirlwind of emotions and travels. Jimenez plays your heart like a marionette, and she the masterful puppeteer! Her writing is absolutely sensational. You can't help but quickly become so invested in the characters. If you read the first book, then you'll be excited to hear that Kristen and Josh are just as much a part of this story as Sloan was in theirs. It was so great to be with the gang again. I loved, adored, cherished every minute of this book!

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St, James

2020-07-18T19:47:00.002-04:00

MINI REVIEW:

This is my second book by Simone St. James and damn, she knows how to write a book! In The Sun Down Motel she hooked me immediately. Drawing me in to this complicated, intricate, eerie ghost story. Her storytelling is so powerful. She weaves a tale of mystery that had me guessing the whole way through. The story is told by two different perspectives in two different decades. Viv's story takes place in 1982, while Carly's comes from the present. It was flawlessly delivered, and added to the intensity of the mysterious storyline. The character development is perfectly drawn out. Viv and Carly were both very strong and intense characters, yet neither outshine the other. They each thrive as their part of the story is being told.

I absolutely loved every minute of this book and can't wait to see what else St. James has in store for us!

The Last Witness by Claire McFall

2020-07-18T19:43:00.001-04:00

Heather agrees to go camping with Dougie and his friends because she's desperate to get closer to him, and a secluded beach sounds like the perfect place. But the trip takes a sinister turn that brings Heather's plans to a violent end.
One by one, the group begins to vanish.
A year later, Heather knows she's just lucky to be alive. And now, people are asking for answers, or else she will be the one to take the blame.

My Thoughts: This was a really quick read that kept my attention the whole way through. Just dying to know how it was going to end! The book is told between the time of the event(a year ago) and the present time. The author did a great job of delivering that perspective. It really amped up the suspense! There were a few parts that dragged on slightly, and I found the ending a bit rushed, however, the writing was extremely well done. The author holds your attention and keeps you guessing right up until the last page! And she crafted such a great setting. You could smell the beach, taste the sea, and feel the chill in the air! Though a bit rushed, my jaw literally dropped at the very end. A clever twist that I was not expecting. This was a great thriller with some paranormal undertones which offered a unique reading experience.

November 9 by Colleen Hoover

2020-07-18T10:48:00.000-04:00

Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon’s last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. Until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist.

*clutches book to the chest, closes eyes and sighs heavily*

That, is how I finished this book! I only discovered Colleen Hoover last summer, my first book being All Your Perfects, but it's been a rapidly growing love affair ever since! I read this book in just under 24 hours. Had I not had to continue through real life, I would have devoured it in one sitting. I loved Ben and Fallon. Despite only knowing each other a few hours, their chemistry was believable and radiated off of the pages. Their story spans over 6 November 9ths, and each tackles love, heartache, forgiveness, growth and so much more. It's not just Fallon and Ben's relationship we are watching unfold, it's their stories as individuals as well. Their own personal growth. How they stumble and grow into themselves. I love that quality about Hoover: she makes the characters go so far beyond the general plotline, they become characters that you fall in love with and care for. The plot twist was a good one! It was completely unexpected! This was another epic win from Collen Hoover for me! It just might be my favourite so far!

The Family Upstairs Lisa Jewell

2020-07-18T10:42:00.001-04:00

MINI REVIEW:

Slow clap!

That is how you write a book! Hot damn! That book was one epic ride! Firstly, let's address how effortlessly the author delivered the multiple perspectives. This was one very complicated, in-depth story that had so many layers! To tackle that on its own is an accomplishment. But then to add it coming from multiple points of view, with additional backstory without causing confusion?! Brav-freaking-O! The Family Upstairs is such a compelling family drama that is mysterious, horrific, and thrilling. The character development is perfection. Their stories unraveling until the very last page! Just when you think you're on to something, the author spins you another direction. Keeping you on the very edge of your seat! And each character standing out just as strong as the other. The gripping storytelling paired with an outstanding character cast made this chilling book an unforgettable read!
.

Bunny by Mona Awad

2020-07-18T10:38:00.000-04:00

MINI REVIEW:

*warning contains curse words and a whole lot of what the hell! *

Umm...what...what did I just read?🤔 I am actually struggling with a review for this one. Would a 'What the hell did I just read' count as a review? I did like it. I am pretty sure I did. My apologies, but I wouldn't even know where to begin describing this novel. It just ain't going to happen this time. I want to, I just really don't know how. However, this insanely peculiar and grotesque novel kept my attention the entire time. I just couldn't turn away because I was just trying to piece together WHAT THE FUCK was actually happening! It's freakish and so off the wall. I feel like this is what happens when you drop acid... 🤷‍♀️ I just gotta be real with you. I feel like I am buzzed after reading this, like I got a contact high. Bunny is perfectly titled because you will fall down a rabbit hole of fuckery. Having said that, if you love weirdness and curiosity, then give this little diddy a try! It was a fun, and eccentric book that allowed me to escape from the norm and the snow!

100 Days of Sunlight by Abbie Emmons

2020-07-18T10:34:00.000-04:00

MINI REVIEW:

I absolutely adored this lovely, charming, breathtaking, amazing, spectacular, stunning, wonderful book! I'd run out of adjectives explaining how great this book was! I read it in one sitting. I couldn't, nor did I want to, put it down! It's sunshine, it's pain, it's heartache, it's laughter. It's everything! Abbie Emmons's writing was just effortless. She created two beautiful characters that I fell in love with almost instantly. She writes the characters with such authenticity. I feel anyone dealing with any handicap, disability, obstacle, setback, etc, would have felt genuinely represented. The story unfurls so beautifully. You are taken on this journey with Tessa and Weston. You are experiencing the sensations right alongside Tessa. I know it may be taboo to say as a bookworm but I WANT TO SEE THIS ON THE SCREEN! I want it so badly to become a series or a movie. I want this story to step out of my imagination and come alive in front of my eyes. I adored. I loved. Nothing else is left to say!

Mini Review: Love, Heather by Laurie Peatru

2019-11-03T17:48:00.003-05:00

MINI REVIEW:

Release Date: October 8th, 2019
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Genre: Young Adult
Source: Netgalley
Reason: For review

What you see isn't always what you get.
Stevie never meant for things to go this far. When she and Dee--defiant, bold, indestructible Dee--started all this, there was a purpose to their acts of vengeance: to put the bullies of Woepine High School back in their place. And three months ago, Stevie believed they deserved it. Once her best friend turned on her, the rest of the school followed. Stevie was alone and unprotected with a target on her back. Online, it was worse.
It was Dee's idea to get them all back with a few clever pranks, signing each act Love, Heather--an homage to her favorite 80's revenge flick. Despite herself, Stevie can't help getting caught up in the payback, reveling in every minute of suffering. And for a while, it works: it seems the meek have inherited the school.
But when anonymous students begin joining in, punishing perceived slights with increasingly violent ferocity, the line between villain and vigilante begins to blur. As friends turn on each other and the administration scrambles to regain control, it becomes clear: whatever Dee and Stevie started has gained a mind--and teeth--of its own. And when it finally swallows them whole, one will reemerge changed, with a plan for one final, terrifying act of revenge.

This was a very complicated, intense drama about the bullied, the bullies and the viciousness of everything and everyone in between. Love, Heather is raw! It's impactful. There were moments that left me cringing. It left me questioning how I would survive high school in today's world. When I attended, social media didn't go beyond MSN messenger. And everyone's guilty pleasure was Napster, not Instagram. It's terrifying to know that now, things can change in an instant. One picture, one post, can turn your world upside down. And now, it seems we are seeing more tragedies in the news as a result of bullying. It's devastating.

It's obvious the Petrou is a master at storytelling. Her writing is just perfect. She made me feel so many emotions while reading this. And left me thinking about it long after I was done. It was, at times, an uncomfortable reading experience. I just wanted to shake the hell out of some characters.
On a lighter note, I loved all the movie references. The 80`s movie buff in me definitely appreciated those!
Love, Heather is an intense and relevant story that will make you stir. It tackles issues that are very real in today's world(scary!). I also think this book will definitely appeal to fans of Courtney Summers.

The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones

2019-11-03T17:42:00.000-05:00

Release Date: September 24th, 2019
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Genre: Fantasy | Young Adult
Pages: 352 Pages
Format: ARC
Source: From Publisher
Reason: For honest review

Seventeen-year-old Aderyn ("Ryn") only cares about two things: her family, and her family's graveyard. And right now, both are in dire straits. Since the death of their parents, Ryn and her siblings have been scraping together a meager existence as gravediggers in the remote village of Colbren, which sits at the foot of a harsh and deadly mountain range that was once home to the fae. The problem with being a gravedigger in Colbren, though, is that the dead don't always stay dead.
The risen corpses are known as "bone houses," and legend says that they're the result of a decades-old curse. When Ellis, an apprentice mapmaker with a mysterious past, arrives in town, the bone houses attack with new ferocity. What is it that draws them near? And more importantly, how can they be stopped for good?
Together, Ellis and Ryn embark on a journey that will take them deep into the heart of the mountains, where they will have to face both the curse and the long-hidden truths about themselves.

A spooky and atmospheric read that is the perfect novel to quench that Halloween thirst!

The risen corpses are known as "Bone Houses" and the legend has it that it's from a decades-old curse. What brings them about? Is anyone safe? And how can they be stopped? Dive in for a fast-paced tale that will have you completely spellbound!

I devoured this book! Its unique storyline will definitely give you those gothic folklore vibes! It is extremely well written; excellent character development and a storyline that was spread out perfectly! I adored Ryn. She is the kind of female lead that I wish I had in books when I was a young adult. She was fierce! She fought hard, against both humans and undead. She stood her ground and took care of her family. Ellis was also an excellent character. The author portrayed his chronic pain so well. It was almost I could start feeling it for him as I was reading. And the goat! I loved the goat! I am not much of a fantasy reader, but this one definitely hit the mark for me. It is fantastical, dark and thrilling! A beautifully crafted tale that was the perfect pick for my Halloween read!

Mini Review: Sister of Mine by Laurie Petrou

2019-10-17T08:00:00.000-04:00

MINI REVIEW:

This was the perfect read to lose myself in during the Thanksgiving long weekend. It's a dark and atmospheric tale about 2 sisters. It was a gripping thriller that focuses on the complicated relationship between sisters Penny and Hattie.

The story is told from Penny's point of view. This book is not similar in the storyline at all, but I could help but relate the characters to Sally and Gillian from Practical Magic. Penny is the more structured and sensible, dark-haired sister (like Sally) and Hattie, the free spirit, red-haired sister(like Gillian). It's likely just me making this comparison.
Petrou's writing is very vivid. The story unraveling like a movie in your head, that is delivered at the perfect pace. It's a very character-driven novel and the author crafted them beautifully. It's a small, intimate character cast that just adds to the overall atmosphere of the book. I really enjoyed this book. A quick, unique read that was a great pick for the #readcanlit book club!

Say You Still Love Me by K.A. Tucker

2019-10-11T08:00:00.000-04:00

Release Date: August 6th, 2019
Publisher: Atria Books
Genre: Fiction | Romance
Pages: 378 Pages
Format: e-galley
Source: Netgalley
Reason: For Review

Life is a mixed bag for Piper Calloway.
On the one hand, she’s a twenty-nine-year-old VP at her dad’s multibillion-dollar real estate development firm, and living the high single life with her two best friends in a swanky downtown penthouse. On the other hand, she’s considered a pair of sexy legs in a male-dominated world and constantly has to prove her worth. Plus, she’s stuck seeing her narcissistic ex-fiancé—a fellow VP—on the other side of her glass office wall every day.
Things get exponentially more complicated for Piper when she runs into Kyle Miller—the handsome new security guard at Calloway Group Industries, and coincidentally the first love of her life.
The guy she hasn’t seen or heard from since they were summer camp counsellors together. The guy from the wrong side of the tracks. The guy who apparently doesn’t even remember her name.
Piper may be a high-powered businesswoman now, but she soon realizes that her schoolgirl crush is not only alive but stronger than ever, and crippling her concentration. What’s more, despite Kyle’s distant attitude, she’s convinced their reunion isn’t at all coincidental, and that his feelings for her still run deep. And she’s determined to make him admit to them, no matter the consequences.

I don't know what the heck I was expecting when going into this book, but whatever it was, it went far beyond it!

I am embarrassed to say, that even though I have 3 others sitting on my bookshelf, this is my first K.A. Tucker, and now I completely see what all of the hype is about! Tucker focused heavily on character development in this novel, which I absolutely loved. We are immediately thrust into Piper's no non-sense world when we are introduced to her. She is VP at her dad's multi-million real estate development firm. And next in line to run the charge when her dad retires. Piper is a boss bitch! It is a male-dominated industry but Piper had no problem standing toe to toe. Girl power! The Spice Girls would be proud.

The book jumps back and forth between the present time and 2006, when Piper was a counselor at Camp Wawa, and where she first lays eyes on Kyle Miller. Let's just say that Tucker deserves an award in itself when it comes to character description if ya catch my drift! *wink, wink*

Tucker then weaves together a complicated and beautiful story that tackles first loves, friendships, rekindled love and all the difficulties and messiness in between. Say You Still Love Me unfolds at the most painfully perfect pace. There were times that I just wanted to fast forward because the suspense was KILLING ME! But, I patiently waited and allowed the story to tell itself. I absolutely loved every minute of this book! I hate that I wanted so long to finally read this author but now I can say that I'm hooked!

Mini Review: What Happened That Night by Deanna Cameron

2019-10-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

MINI REVIEW:

Meet Clara. Clara's sister killed popular, golden boy neighbour, Griffin. Why? Only Clara knows. Will she come forward with the information? It's not as easy as you think.This book took an unexpected turn. It had more of a creepy vibe than I thought it would. What Happened That Night has some gut-wrenching moments that definitely tugged on my heart. The writing was great but the characters lacked some depth and emotion which is why I gave it 3.5 stars rather than 4. I felt the reactions of certain scenes really fell flat and weren't very realistic. The story itself really stands strong though and makes up for the characters. It's a page-turner that left me guessing on more than one occasion. The story alternates between 'before' and 'now' and the author did a great job at the delivery. It unfolded at a great pace that really intensifies the suspense. Overall, I liked it. I just wish the characters had a bit more depth.

Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren

2019-09-30T08:00:00.000-04:00

Release Date: October 22, 2019
Publisher: Gallery Books
Genre: Romance | Rom-Com
Pages: 368 Pages
Format: e-galley
Source: Netgalley
Reason: For Review

Sam Brandis was Tate Jones’s first: Her first love. Her first everything. Including her first heartbreak.
During a whirlwind two-week vacation abroad, Sam and Tate fell for each other in only the way that first loves do: sharing all of their hopes, dreams, and deepest secrets along the way. Sam was the first, and only, person that Tate—the long-lost daughter of one of the world’s biggest film stars—ever revealed her identity to. So when it became clear her trust was misplaced, her world shattered for good.
Fourteen years later, Tate, now an up-and-coming actress, only thinks about her first love every once in a blue moon. When she steps onto the set of her first big break, he’s the last person she expects to see. Yet here Sam is, the same charming, confident man she knew, but even more alluring than she remembered. Forced to confront the man who betrayed her, Tate must ask herself if it’s possible to do the wrong thing for the right reason… and whether “once in a lifetime” can come around twice.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and struggled between giving it 3 stars or 4. I settled for 3 only because of the ending.

The first half of this book is amazing and really sucked me in. We meet 18-year-old Tate and 21-year-old Sam, who by the way, is the ultimate swoon-worthy character, hubba hubba! Complete strangers, while both vacationing in London, they quickly fall head over heels for each other. Until a turn of events changes both of their lives forever. And in the same breath, rips them apart.

Fast forward 14 years, Tate is now a thriving Actress who has landed herself the role of a lifetime. During filming, Sam enters her life all over again and Tate is forced to confront the only man she has ever loved and who left her heart shattered into a million pieces.

This is my first book by Christina Lauren's but it will not be my last. Her easy-breezy writing style makes you fall right into the story she has crafted and right in love with the characters she has penned. Tate's best friend was absolutely hilarious! She is the friend we all want in our lives. A ride or die, tell it like it is BFF. The book unfolded at a great pace. A little slow in parts but totally worth it. The only thing that left me a little disappointed was the ending. Given the build-up, it just wrapped up a little too quickly for me. However, it didn't deter me from my overall enjoyment of the book. I walked away loving the story I just read and the characters I met. I really look forward to reading more from this author!

*Have you read Christina Lauren? What book would you recommend I read next?*

Let's Discuss: Books That Left You With a Book Hangover

2019-09-18T08:00:00.000-04:00

(photo cred: kellyangel.tumblr.com)

As devoted Bookworm's, we've all been there. We have finished a book that left us lost and unable to move onto another book. Enter: The Book Hangover

(photo cred: epicreads.com)

2019 has been an amazing year for books! I have definitely suffered from many book hangovers this year! Below, are just some of the books that left me hung-the-F-over!

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I read this book before the hype so I went in with very open expectations. Being my 3rd Hoover book, I was optimistic. It ended up turning my world upside down. I didn't care about eating or sleeping while reading this one! Verity was Life now!

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Another one I read before the hype-storm. This book seemed to be an either 'love it or hate it' read for people. I LOVED it. I devoured it and became so invested in the characters. Like the band, I was left with a major hangover after this one.

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This is still one of my most recommended books this year!

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One of my favourite Young Adult books this year. It was such a beautiful, relevant and unique read.

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READ THIS BOOK NOW!!!

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READ THIS BOOK AFTER THE OTHER BOOK!!!

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One of the most beautiful life stories I have ever read!

What books have left you with a Book Hangover?

Comment Below!

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow

2019-09-10T20:40:00.000-04:00

Release Date: September 10th, 2019
Publisher: Hachette Canada
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy
Pages: 384 Pages
Format: ARC
Source: From Publisher
Reason: For Honest Review
Find the Author: WEBSITE

Buy the Book

In the early 1900s, a young woman embarks on a fantastical journey of self-discovery after finding a mysterious book in this captivating and lyrical debut.
In a sprawling mansion filled with peculiar treasures, January Scaller is a curiosity herself. As the ward of the wealthy Mr. Locke, she feels little different from the artifacts that decorate the halls: carefully maintained, largely ignored, and utterly out of place.Then she finds a strange book. A book that carries the scent of other worlds, and tells a tale of secret doors, of love, adventure and danger. Each page turn reveals impossible truths about the world and January discovers a story increasingly entwined with her own.

“How fitting, that the most terrifying time in my life should require me to do what I do best: escape into a book.”

There are Ten Thousand and One things I want to say about this book but yet, I am left utterly speechless. I can say, without a doubt, that this is the most unique story I have ever read. The Ten Thousand Doors of January is a fantastical, tug-on-your-heart-strings journey. It is so intelligently written and went far beyond any expectations I had for it.

The Ten Thousand Doors of January is a book that will tap itself into your very core. The child still living within you who's imagination is still running free, untainted, this book awakens that part of you. The world's, portals and characters came alive vividly, the words leaping off of the pages. It truly is a whimsical reading experience; as if the author cast her very own spell within the pages, creating a magical tale that will come to life before you, and stay with you long after you've finished.

I am still awestruck. This is one of those books that one can go on and on about, but you will never truly grasp the extraordinary beauty of its story until you experience it on your own. A truly beautiful and heartening read that will leave you stirring. I miss it already.

The Revolution of Birdie Randolph

2019-08-19T14:09:00.000-04:00

Release Date: August 20th, 2019
Publisher: Hachette Canada | Little Brown for Young Readers
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 336 Pages
Format: ARC
Source: From Publisher
Reason: For Honest Review
Find the Author: Website

Buy the Book

Dove "Birdie" Randolph works hard to be the perfect daughter and follow the path her parents have laid out for her: She quit playing her beloved soccer, she keeps her nose buried in textbooks, and she's on track to finish high school at the top of her class. But then Birdie falls hard for Booker, a sweet boy with a troubled past...whom she knows her parents will never approve of.When her estranged aunt Carlene returns to Chicago and moves into the family's apartment above their hair salon, Birdie notices the tension building at home. Carlene is sweet, friendly, and open-minded--she's also spent decades in and out of treatment facilities for addiction. As Birdie becomes closer to both Booker and Carlene, she yearns to spread her wings. But when long-buried secrets rise to the surface, everything she's known to be true is turned upside down.

Brandy Colbert made me an instant fan the second I finished Little & Lion. It still remains one of my favourite YA reads and one of my most recommended. What Colbert does so greatly is the representation of her characters. Her books are inclusive. And she writes each character with such compassion and authenticity.

The Revolution of Birdie Randolph is no different. With diverse characters and a realistic storyline, there will be many that will find this book relatable. Whether you are in the heart of your teenage years now or are looking back on your youth, you will find a part of yourself inside this book. Her writing style is one my my favourite qualities of her books. This story is a beautiful slow burn. She allows time for the characters' stories to unfold. No need for rushing. Everything revealed at a perfect pace. I adored Dove, aka Birdie and Laz. There closeness reminding me of my own friendships both past and present. I also loved her relationship with Booker, it was a great romantic touch to the novel but it didn't overtake the whole story. It was all just a part of Birdie's story.

The Young Adult scene is coming alive with beautiful and diverse books, and The Revolution of Birdie Randolph is another stunning addition to the genre. I cannot wait for what else Brandy Colbert has in store!

Him by Clare Empson

2019-08-16T08:00:00.000-04:00

Release Date: August 23rd, 2019
Publisher: Orion Books | Hachette Book Group Canada
Genre: Thriller | Fiction
Pages: 352 Pages
Format: ARC
Source: From Publisher
Reason: For Honest Review
Find the Author: Website

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Big Little Lies meets 13 Reasons Why in this dark and suspenseful debut from a stunning new talent.
It all started with ... HIM.Catherine has become mute. She has witnessed something so disturbing that she simply can't speak - not to her husband, her children, or her friends. The doctors say the only way forward is to look into her past. Catherine needs to start with Him. Lucian.Catherine met the love of her life at university and was drawn into his elite circle of privileged, hedonistic friends. But one night it all falls apart and she leaves him, shattering his life forever.Still, fifteen years later, Lucian haunts every one of Catherine's quiet moments, and when they are unexpectedly reunited, their love reignites with explosive force.But they can't move on from what happened all those years ago. In fact, uncovering the truth will cause their lives to implode once again. This time, with disastrous consequences.

Wow! Just...Wow. I can't remember the last time a book has left me so completely speechless. The last time a book has left me in a puddle of emotion, struggling to gather myself and put it into words. Him by Clare Empson has taken me through a flurry of emotions. An unexpected dark tale of love that would make Shakespeare jealous!

Him tells the story of Catherine between past and present: 15 years ago, 4 months ago and now. Told both by Catherine and Lucian, we quickly get swept and tangled up inside the web of their lives, their passionate love affair, and the series of events that lead them to the present. Catherine and Lucian will embed themselves in your heart. They are sweet and tragic characters. The secondary character cast is just as outstanding. They bleed wealth, scandal and glamour, in almost a Great Gatsby-esque form.

What makes Him the stunning masterpiece that it is, is the brilliant writing style. It's so intelligently written. The author crafted an absolutely perfect plot with characters that will make your heart swell. It was a deliciously heartbreaking reading experience.

This story took me by complete surprise. I had no idea how invested I would get with these characters and their stories. A gripping, thrilling and heartbreaking tale of love.

Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

2019-08-05T08:00:00.000-04:00

Release Date: August 6th, 2019
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Canada
Genre: Thriller | Suspense
Pages: 384 Pages
Format: ARC
Source: From Publisher
Reason: For Honest Review
Find the Author: Website

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When she stumbles across the ad, she’s looking for something else completely. But it seems like too good an opportunity to miss—a live-in nannying post, with a staggeringly generous salary. And when Rowan Caine arrives at Heatherbrae House, she is smitten—by the luxurious “smart” home fitted out with all modern conveniences, by the beautiful Scottish Highlands, and by this picture-perfect family.
What she doesn’t know is that she’s stepping into a nightmare—one that will end with a child dead and herself in prison awaiting trial for murder.Writing to her lawyer from prison, she struggles to explain the unravelling events that led to her incarceration. It wasn’t just the constant surveillance from the cameras installed around the house, or the malfunctioning technology that woke the household with booming music, or turned the lights off at the worst possible time. It wasn’t just the girls, who turned out to be a far cry from the immaculately behaved model children she met at her interview. It wasn’t even the way she was left alone for weeks at a time, with no adults around apart from the enigmatic handyman, Jack Grant.It was everything.She knows she’s made mistakes. She admits that she lied to obtain the post, and that her behavior toward the children wasn’t always ideal. She’s not innocent, by any means. But, she maintains, she’s not guilty—at least not of murder. Which means someone else is.

Turn of a Key is a spooky thriller that will curl its ghostly fingertips around you and keep you spellbound until you've reached the very end!

This is only my second Ruth Ware book but I have to say, she knows how to pen a real page-turner! I was completely captivated by this story, devouring it eagerly and left thinking about it during those painful times I couldn't be reading it. Turn of a Key follows Rowan Caine, a daycare employee that stumbles upon a job ad that is too good to be true. The novel unfolds at the perfect pace! Slowly unraveling bit by bit, amping up the thrilling and mysterious plot. The book is an eerie whodunnit that will have you eating out of the palm of its hand.

I really loved Rowan's character. She is far more than meets the eye and I have to say, her twist was completely unpredictable and left me jaw dropped. I was stunned. It was pleasantly unexpected! Ware's writing style is impeccable, completely drawing you in, and leaving you wanting more after you've turned the last page.

Turn of the Key was exactly what I want in a suspenseful thriller and more. Don't worry about getting too comfortable when settling in to read it, you'll just end up on the edge of your seat anyways!

Someday We Will Fly by Rachel DeWoskin

2019-07-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

Release Date: January 22nd, 2019
Publisher: Penguin Random House | Viking
Genre: Young Adult | Fiction
Pages: 320 Pages
Format: Hardcover
Source: From Publisher
Reason: For Honest Review
Find the Author: Website

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Warsaw, Poland. The year is 1940 and Lillia is 15 when her mother, Alenka, disappears and her father flees with Lillia and her younger sister, Naomi, to Shanghai, one of the few places that will accept Jews without visas. There they struggle to make a life; they have no money, there is little work, no decent place to live, a culture that doesn't understand them. And always the worry about Alenka. How will she find them? Is she still alive?
Meanwhile Lillia is growing up, trying to care for Naomi, whose development is frighteningly slow, in part from malnourishment. Lillia finds an outlet for her artistic talent by making puppets, remembering the happy days in Warsaw when they were circus performers. She attends school sporadically, makes friends with Wei, a Chinese boy, and finds work as a performer at a "gentlemen's club" without her father's knowledge.
But meanwhile the conflict grows more intense as the Americans declare war and the Japanese force the Americans in Shanghai into camps. More bombing, more death. Can they survive, caught in the crossfire?

I have always been drawn to WWII historical fiction/non-fiction. There is something about that time period that has always spoken to me. Perhaps it's the need to hear the stories of those who lived and died by the tragedies that took place. To hear their voices. Now there is one voice that will always stay close to me, Lillia's. Someday We Will Fly delves into her touching and at times, heartbreaking story that will leave you completely changed long after you've finished the last page.

Sadly, this was a part of WW2 history that I knew very little about, but I am grateful for Someday We Will Fly as it gave me the opportunity to learn more about this part of history. Though this book may be fiction, it brings forward many true events that took place.

The writing style in this book is lyrical. It flows off of the pages and comes to life as if you are watching the scenes dance right in front of you. It's slow pace building the story brick by brick, and keeping you captivated all at once. This book will bring many emotions to the surface. It will make you feel hopeful and at times completely at a loss. It will tug at your heartstrings and leave a strong impression on you. The author crafted each character with such compassion and delicacy. Though this book be fiction, she is giving voice to many people's stories that are no longer around to tell it. I believe if someone who went through this read this book, they would feel that it was represented authentically.

There will be books that leave their imprint on you and this is one of them. It is intense and captivating. Though there is despair there is also so much beauty. Lillia's memories of the circus playing vividly in your imagination. Immersing you inside the story. I am so grateful that I had the privilege to read this book and to meet Lillia. Someday We Will Fly is a book that everyone should read at least once in their life.